Dr. Heather Groves, OD

Dr. Heather Groves, OD is a board-certified Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and adhering to Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458, she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Optometric care. Your optometrist is your primary partner in lifelong eye health, providing preventive care, vision correction, early disease detection, personalized health plans, and coordinating screenings to ensure your best possible vision and overall wellness. She is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Dr. Heather OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, understanding that eye health is crucial across the lifespan. She focuses on preventive care, recognizing that early intervention and proactive measures are key to maintaining optimal vision and overall health. Her practice emphasizes personalized plans tailored to individual needs and goals. Patients should call (954) 462-1177 to confirm if Dr. Heather OD is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Heather Groves, OD is an optometrist in Fort Lauderdale, FL, committed to providing the highest quality care in a supportive environment.

Dr. Heather OD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Heather OD is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Heather OD can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Heather OD provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Blepharoptosis: While blepharoptosis might be a cosmetic concern, early identification through preventative eye care can rule out more serious conditions and ensure timely intervention if necessary.
• Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma: Managing primary angle closure glaucoma involves regular monitoring and treatment to maintain healthy eye pressure and reduce the risk of vision impairment—early diagnosis is vital.
• Keratitis: Protecting your eyes from irritants and infections is key to preventing keratitis; early detection through regular eye exams can significantly reduce the risk of permanent vision damage.
• Retinoschisis: Retinoschisis is a rare eye condition where the retina separates, and early detection through regular eye exams can help prevent vision loss.
• Cataract - Aberrant Oral Frenula - Growth Delay: Managing potential complications from cataracts early on, along with addressing oral frenula and growth delays, ensures optimal eye health and overall well-being in children.
• Infantile Glaucoma: Infantile glaucoma requires timely intervention; routine pediatric eye care helps identify this condition early, enabling treatment to minimize its impact on vision development.
• Microcornea - Corectopia - Macular Hypoplasia: Preventive eye care includes monitoring for rare conditions such as microcornea, corectopia, and macular hypoplasia, ensuring early diagnosis and appropriate interventions to improve visual outcomes.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Heather OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Color Vision Testing: Color vision testing is a crucial part of a comprehensive eye exam, helping to identify any issues that may affect your ability to see colors accurately.
• Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination: A pediatric eye exam proactively checks your child's vision development, ensuring early detection of potential problems and preventing future vision impairment.
• Scleral Contact Lens Treatment: Protecting your vision starts with identifying and addressing underlying eye conditions; scleral lenses may provide a solution for better vision and comfort.
• Refractive Surgery (Co-management): Proactively partnering with your surgeon, we ensure your refractive surgery journey is safe and effective, maximizing your results and minimizing complications.
• Eyelash Epilation: Proactive eyelash analysis can be a simple yet valuable tool for identifying potential problems that could impact your eye health and vision.
• Vitrectomy (Co-management): Co-managing your vitrectomy helps ensure your eye heals properly and prevents complications after surgery.
• Glaucoma Medical Therapy: Glaucoma medical therapy is a proactive step in maintaining your vision by enabling early detection and treatment of this sight-threatening disease.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Optometry Services in Florida.

Dr. Heather OD is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By scheduling routine eye exams, a patient proactively identified potential blepharoptosis concerns, allowing for early intervention and reducing the risk of more significant issues. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind and confidence in their eye health.
• By adhering to a proactive eye health plan, including regular checkups, a patient successfully managed their risk factors for primary angle closure glaucoma, preserving their vision and enjoying a more secure future.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Optometric care with Dr. Heather OD:

What is an Optometrist, and how are they different from an Ophthalmologist?

An optometrist, like Dr. Heather OD, is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and diagnoses and manages many eye conditions. An ophthalmologist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor who specializes in surgery and complex eye conditions.

How often should I get a comprehensive eye exam, even if I see well?

Even if your vision is good, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial. These exams are about more than just your vision; they help detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, when treatment is most effective.

Can an eye exam detect other health problems in my body?

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam can detect other health problems. The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing for early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases to be identified during a dilated eye exam.

What are the signs of a cataract?

Common signs of cataracts include blurry or dim vision, increased glare from lights, fading or yellowing of colors, and frequent changes in glasses prescription. Dr. Heather OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts to ensure your eye health.

What is 'low vision' and how can you help?

Low vision is vision impairment that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. A low vision evaluation with Dr. Heather OD focuses on maximizing remaining vision through tools like magnifiers, special lighting, and adaptive devices to help patients maintain independence.

I have something in my eye. Should I come here first?

Yes, absolutely. For issues like eye infections, corneal scratches, or foreign objects, an optometrist is the ideal first point of contact. We are equipped to diagnose and treat these urgent issues, often preventing a long and costly visit to the emergency room.

What is an OCT scan?

An OCT scan is an advanced imaging technology, similar to ultrasound but using light, to create incredibly detailed cross-sectional pictures of your retina and optic nerve. Dr. Heather OD uses this to precisely detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

I have diabetes. Why do I need a special dilated eye exam every year?

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, a condition called diabetic retinopathy. This is a leading cause of blindness, but often has no symptoms in its early stages. An annual dilated exam allows Dr. Heather OD to detect any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

2466 E Commercial Blvd Ste 102
Fort Lauderdale FL 33308
Phone: (954) 462-1177

Dr. Heather Groves, OD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1073944278

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Optometry Services like Dr. Heather OD are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your optometry about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.